ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Finance
Cabinet approves enhancement in the corpus of Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme for increasing the limit of admissible guarantees
Hospitality and related sectors to get a boost
Loans worth about Rs. 3.67 Lakh crore have been sanctioned under ECLGS
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved the enhancement in the limit of Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme  by Rs 50,000 crore from Rs. 4.5 Lakh crore to Rs. 5 Lakh crore, with the additional amount being earmarked exclusively for enterprises in hospitality and related sectors. The increase has been done on account of the severe disruptions caused by COVID-19 pandemic on hospitality and related enterprises.
Implementation schedule:
ECLGS is a continuing scheme. The additional amount of Rs. 50,000 crore would be made applicable to enterprises in hospitality and related sectors till validity of the scheme which is 31.3.2023.
Impact:
ECLGS is an already operational scheme and on account of the disruptions caused by the COVID 19 pandemic on hospitality and related sectors, Government has specifically earmarked an amount of Rs. 50,000 crore for enterprises in these sectors. The enhancement is expected to provide much needed relief to enterprises in these sectors by incentivizing lending institutions to provide additional credit of up to Rs. 50,000 crore at low cost, thereby enabling these business enterprises to meet their operational liabilities and continue their businesses.
Loans of about Rs. 3.67 Lakh crore have been sanctioned under ECLGS till 5.8.2022.
Background:
The ongoing pandemic has adversely impacted contact-intensive sectors, especially the hospitality and related sectors more severely. While other sectors were back faster on the path of recovery, demand continued to be subdued for these sectors for longer period, suggesting the need for suitable interventions for their sustenance and recovery. Further, given their high employment intensity and their direct and indirect linkages with other sectors, their revival is also necessary for supporting overall economic recovery. Recognising this, in Union Budget 2022-23, it was announced to extend validity of ECLGS upto March, 2023 and increase in the limit of guaranteed cover of ECLGS by Rs. 50,000 crore to total cover of Rs. 5 Lakh core, with the additional amount being earmarked exclusively for the enterprises in hospitality and related sectors.
With high immunization levels, progressive roll-back of restrictions and overall economic recovery, conditions are in place for sustained growth in demand for these sectors as well. This additional guarantee cover is expected to support the recovery of these sectors as well. This additional guarantee cover is expected to support the recovery of these sectors.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
India gets 8 new Flying Training Academies
India is set to get 8 new Flying Training Academies under the liberalised Flying Training Organisation  policy of the Airports Authority of India . These academies will be set up at Belagavi, Jalgaon, Kalaburagi, Khajuraho and Lilabari. The set-up of these 8 FTOs is aimed at making India a global flying training hub and to prevent the exodus of Indian cadets to foreign FTOs. Additionally, these FTOs will also be designed to cater the flying training requirements of cadets in India’s neighbouring countries.
Attesting to the perseverance and determination of the team of the Airports Authority of India  is the fact that they successfully managed to finalise the bidding process amid the challenging period caused due to the second wave of COVID-19. These five airports have been carefully chosen since they have minimal disruption due to weather issues and civil/ military air traffic. This initiative will help the Indian flying training sector in becoming more self-sustaining under the Atmannirbhar Bharat initiative.
Airports Authority of India had invited bids for the same in November 2020. The award letters were issued on 31 May 2021 to winning bidders: Asia-Pacific, Jetserve, Redbird, Samvardhane and Skynex. The parameters set for prospective bidders included familiarisation with aviation safety aspects, regulatory mechanisms, experience in the field of training pilots on manned aircraft, the availability of equipment, trainers, etc. To make FTOs attractive for bidders, AAI reduced the minimum annual rental significantly to Rs.15 lacs. Furthermore, the concept of airport royalty was scrapped to make these ventures business-friendly.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
On the start of Sewa Pakhwada, Dr. RML Hospital inaugurates India’s first dedicated OPD for Transgenders
Free Treatment, investigations and sex change surgery along with other facilities will be available at these OPDs for the Transgender community
On the start of Sewa Pakhwada, Dr. RML Hospital inaugurated India’s first dedicated OPD for Transgenders today. The inaugural ceremony was led by Dr.  Ajay Shukla, Director, RML Hospital.
The initiative is started with understanding of the difficulties encountered by transgender community to access healthcare services, largely due to discomfort and the fear of discrimination and social apathy. At India’s first dedicated OPD for transgenders, they will be provided with following facilities in the speciality OPD clinic:
- Free Treatment, investigations and sex change surgery.
- Speciality OPD clinic for transgenders will be every Friday 2 to 4 p.m.
- Separate OPD registration counter for these clinics to facilitate smooth process.
- Endocrinology facility with Clinico-psychological assessment.
- Plastic surgery facility for various related surgeries.
- Dermatology facility for related issues.
- Medicine  facility for various diseases.
- Urology facility for various related problems.
- Paediatrics facility for related issues.
- All other related Blood investigations.
- Separate washroom facility .
The initiative was appreciated by the Transgender community.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
OBC Population Living Below Poverty Line
No such survey /census of OBC people living below the poverty line has been conducted by the Government.
Details of the schemes being implemented by the Government for the upliftment of OBCs  are:
 Pre-Matric Scholarship for OBCs- 94.52 lakhs beneficiaries - Rs.201.57 cr. expenditure.
 Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC students- 40.94 lakhs beneficiaries – Rs. 1294.32 cr. expenditure.
 Dr. Ambedkar Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loan for Overseas Studies for OBCs/EBCs – 3296 beneficiaries – Rs.26.09 cr. expenditure.
 National Fellowship for OBCs – 1193 beneficiaries- Rs. 52.50 cr. expenditure.
 Construction of Hostels for OBC Boys and Girls – 1750 beneficiaries – Rs.21.28 cr. expenditure.
 Assistance for Skill Development of OBCs/DNTs/EBCs .
 Launch of Venture Capital Fund for OBCs.
 Low Interest Loan/Finance Assistance Schemes of National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation  for OBCs.
 For the EWS sections, 10% reservation in Central Government appointments and for admissions in the Central Government educational institutions.
This information was given by Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Labour & Employment
L20 inception meeting focuses on universalisation of social security with women at the centre of future of work
Social Security universalization covering issues of International Migration of Labour and Portability of Social Security Funds, Social Protection for Informal Workers discussed in L20 inception meeting
Skill Training and Skill Upgradation and Role and Responsibilities of Employers, Employees and Governments, Changing World of Work and New Employment Opportunities in G20 Countries and Promoting Sustainable Decent Work also discussed
The Labour20  engagement group’s inception meet, as part of India’s G20 presidency, today began deliberations in Amritsar, Punjab on key issues concerning the global workforce to provide direction to the G20 nations and institutions to focus on development reaching to the last person.
Trade union leaders, labour studies experts and delegates from 20 nations at the Labour20 inception meeting under India’s G20 presidency are preparing to call for universalisation of social security and to put women at the centre of future of work.
In the inaugural session Shri Hiranmay Pandya, L20 Chair and National President of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh , said that in tune with the spirit of G20 in 2023, the work force of the world is one family. He highlighted the G20 theme #OneEarth #OneFamily #OneFuture and how the concept is relevant to the labour movements globally.
The L20 event had delegates from previous presidency, Indonesia, and next presidency, Brazil, too participating, apart from Trade Union representatives from other G20 nations. The L20 meet will conclude tomorrow with a joint statement on Universalisation of Social Security and Woman and Future of Work, both subjects being debated in details at the event, said BMS former National President Shri C. K. Saji Narayanan.
He said, the economic crisis adversely impacts women the most, and hence the future of work depends majorly on the women workforce, which needs direction globally. It is also important to evolve a global mechanism for portability of social security, in view of the latest trends in labour migration worldwide, he said.
Shri Arun Maira, former member of the Planning Commission of India, said India seeks peace and harmony in the world, and noted that it is time to bring back the “family spirit” in economy. He said there are many communities who are concerned about their future well-being in the economy and in society. These include women, youth, farmers, factory workers, self-employed workers, and micro-enterprises. He said all of them must be listened to now.
The day saw five parallel technical sessions on International Migration of Labour and Portability of Social Security Funds; Social Protection for Informal Workers; Skill Training and Skill Upgradation and Role and Responsibilities of Employers, Employees and Governments; Changing World of Work and New Employment Opportunities in G20 Countries; and Promoting Sustainable Decent Work. The second day of the two-day L20 Inception Meet tomorrow will importantly discuss Women and Future of Work.
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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
National Population Policy- Various Initiatives Taken Under National Family Planning Programme Providing Broad Range of Services
A National Population Policy was formulated in the year 2000 with the long term objective of attaining Population Stabilization by 2045. Various initiatives have been taken under the National Family Planning Programme providing broad range of services mentioned as given below:-
- Mission Parivar Vikas has been introduced for substantially increasing access to contraceptives and family planning services in 146 high fertility districts in 7 high focus states.
- Expanded Contraceptive Choices: The current contraceptive basket comprising of condoms, Combined oral contraceptive pills, Emergency contraceptive pills, Intrauterine contraceptive uterine device  and Sterilization has been expanded with inclusion of new contraceptives namely Injectable contraceptive  and Centchroman .
- Compensation schemefor sterilization acceptors which provides compensation for loss of wages to the beneficiary and also to the service provider team for conducting sterilisation.
- Post-partum Intrauterine contraceptive device  services are provided post delivery.
- Scheme for Home Delivery of contraceptives by ASHAs at doorstep of beneficiaries has been taken up.
- Scheme for provision of Pregnancy Testing Kits in the drug kits of ASHA for use in communities.
- Family Planning Logistics Management Information System : dedicated software has been launched to ensure smooth forecasting, procurement and distribution of family planning commodities across all the levels of health facilities.
Achievement of the above initiatives are as follows:-
- The Total Fertility Rate has declined from 2.9 to 2.2 from 2005 to 2018 .
- 28 out of 36 States/UTs have already achieved the replacement level fertility of 2.1 or less.
- The Crude Birth Rate has declined from 23.8 to 20.0 from 2005 to 2018 .
- India’s Wanted Fertility Rate has come down to 1.8 in NFHS IV from 1.9 in NFHS III.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar stated this in a written reply in the LokSabha here today.
Ministry of Steel
Steel Authority of India Limited  crosses Rs 10,000 Crore Procurement Value on GeM
First CPSE to achieve the Procurement Value of Rs 10,000,Crore through GeM
Steel Authority of India Limited  ,becomes the first Central Public Sector Enterprise  to achieve the major milestone of procurement value of Rs 10,000  Crore through the Government-e-Marketplace  since inception.
SAIL has been at the forefront in partnering with GeM and has played an active role to create different functionalities to enhance the reach of the GeM portal.
From a small beginning of Rs. 2.7 Crore in FY'18-19, SAIL has already crossed the total value of Rs. 10,000 Crore in this year. Incidentally, SAIL was the largest CPSE procurer on GeM in the previous Financial Year with a value of Rs. 4,614 Crore. In the current fiscal, SAIL has already surpassed the achievement of previous year with procurement of over Rs. 5,250 Crore till date and is committed to substantially increase the volumes on GeM.
Ministry of Finance
CBDT issues orders u/s 119 of IT Act,1961 to mitigate hardships to taxpayers arising out of compliance of TDS/TCS provisions
Due to outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, there is severe disruption in the normal working of almost all sectors. To mitigate the hardships of taxpayers, the CBDT has issued the following directions/clarifications by exercise of its power u/s 119 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 :
All the assessees who have filed application for lower or nil deduction of TDS/TCS for F.Y. 2020-21 and whose applications are pending for disposal as on date and they have been issued such certificates for F.Y. 2019-20, then such certificates would be applicable till 30.06.2020 of F.Y. 2020-21 or disposal of their applications by the Assessing Officers, whichever is earlier, in respect of the transaction and the deductor or collector if any, for whom the certificate was issued for F.Y. 2019-20. In cases where the assessees could not apply for issue of lower or nil deduction of TDS/TCS in the Traces Portal for the F.Y. 2020-21, but were having the certificates for F.Y. 2019-20, such certificates will be applicable till 30.06.2020 of F.Y. 2020-21. However, they need to apply at the earliest giving details of the transactions and the Deductor/Collector to the TDS/TCS Assessing Officer as per procedure prescribed. Further, on payments to Non-residents  having Permanent Establishment in India, where the above applications are pending, tax on payments made will be deducted at the subsidised rate of 10% including surcharge and cess, on such payments till 30.06.2020 of F.Y. 2020-21, or disposal of their applications, whichever is earlier .
In case of pending applications for lower/nil rate of TDS/TCS for F.Y. 2019-20, the Assessing Officers have been directed to dispose off the applications through a liberal procedure by 27.04.2020, so that the taxpayers may not have to pay extra tax which may cause liquidity issues to them .
To mitigate the hardships of small taxpayers, it has been decided that if a person had submitted valid Forms 15G and 15H to the Banks or other institutions for F.Y. 2019-20, then these Forms would be valid up to 30.06.2020. This will safeguard the small tax payers against TDS where there is no tax liability .
All the above orders passed u/s 119 of the Act are available on www.incometaxindia.gov.in under the head Miscellaneous Communications.
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President's Secretariat
President of India graces the 2nd Convocation of Rama Devi Women’s University, Bhubaneswar
The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu graced and addressed the 2nd Convocation of Rama Devi Women’s University at Bhubaneswar today .
Speaking on the occasion, the President recalled her days – she spent in this University  as a student. She said that she had studied in this institution for four years after completing her schooling at Unit-2 Girls School in Bhubaneswar. The love and affection of the teachers of that time is unforgettable. She said that she is still in touch with many of classmates from that time. This great educational institution has always been a source of inspiration in her life.
Addressing the students of the University, the President said that they should feel proud as girl students, that is, as representatives of women. Women in India have played an important role since ages. From management of family to governance of the country, from literature, music and dance to leadership, women have proved their mettle in every field. Women empowerment is no longer a slogan, it has become a reality to a large extent. Girls are not only at par with our boys, but in some fields they are even ahead of the boys.
The President said that India is the largest democracy in the world. It is heartening that the representation of women is increasing in all democratic institutions from Panchayats to Parliament. It is a great achievement of our democracy that for the first time the number of women parliamentarians has crossed 100. This is a good sign for the future of our democracy.
The President advised students to keep faith in their abilities. She said that after leaving the university campus, they would enter another university - the University of Life. To be successful in the University of Life, they must be aware of their strengths and abilities.
The President said that India aims to become a developed nation in the next 25 years. We all believe that in the year 2047, when India will celebrate the centenary of its independence, it will be one of the most prosperous nations in the world. It is the responsibility of the young generation to take India to the pinnacle of development during these 25 years.
Ministry of Home Affairs
NDMA conducts workshop on Glacial Hazards and Risks
National Disaster Management Authority in partnership with Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation  is organizing a two-day brainstorming meeting on the assessment and management of glacial risks, particularly glacial lake outburst floods .
GLOFs refer to the sudden discharge of a water reservoir that has formed either underneath, at the side, in front, within, or on the surface of a glacier. As was evident during the 2013 Kedarnath disaster, the resulting impacts on communities and infrastructure can be catastrophic.
Glaciers and permafrost environments are changing rapidly across the Indian Himalayan Region, giving rise to threats such as GLOFs. The region is particularly sensitive to changes in global climate, and with residential, tourism and hydropower infrastructure expanding higher into alpine valleys, there is a clear need for the assessment and management of glacial hazards to be mainstreamed into major policies. Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh are the most vulnerable States to glacial hazards.
Welcoming the participants, Ms. Marylaure Crettaz, Head of Cooperation, SDC, outlined the background. She added that the purpose of this workshop was to bring all national and international experts on one platform.
"The fragile mountain ecosystem in the Indian Himalayan Region is under tremendous stress of climate change and land use degradation," said Lt. Gen. N. C. Marwah , Member, NDMA, while emphasising on coordinated and collaborative top-down approach amongst all stakeholders to deal with emerging risks.
Dr. Andrew Kos of Terrasense Switzerland Ltd. made a presentation on the web-based early warning alarm GLOF Hazard Management System that they have set up in Sikkim.
The technical sessions at the workshop established the context and priorities besides discussing specific case studies and experiences in managing glacial hazards from Central Asia, Caucasus and various Indian States.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Pradeep Kumar, Secretary, NDMA, informed that various stakeholder Central agencies are monitoring glacial lakes and water bodies in the Himalayan region but a lot of work is yet to be done in glacial risk management. He underlined the need for enhancing the capacity of State administration and local communities to adapt to the changing climatic regime.
Deliberations on Day 2 will lead to the identification of key messages and the way forward.
Members and senior officials of NDMA, representatives from the SDC, State Governments, national as well as international academic institutions and other stakeholders are participating in the workshop.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Government Readies Two more Central Drug Laboratories at Pune and Hyderabad for Covid Vaccine Testing
Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of S&T, Continues Support for Scaling up The Vaccine Development and Manufacturing Ecosystem
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and considering the enhanced production of COVID Vaccines, the Government proactively took the decision of setting up additional laboratories,to facilitate expedited testing / pre-release certification of the vaccines.
Currently, the nation has a Central Drugs Laboratory  at Kasauli, which is the National Control Laboratory for testing and pre-release certification of Immunobiologicals  meant for human use in India.
Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology ,Government of India has set up two Vaccine testing facilities in its Autonomous Research Institutes National Centre for Cell Science , Pune, and National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad as Central Drug Laboratory , for batch testing and quality control of vaccines. Accordingly with funding support provided by the PM-CARES Funds trust, two new vaccine testing facilities have been set up as Central Drug laboratories at DBT- NCCS, and DBT-NIAB .
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Department of Biotechnology has been in the forefront contributing to various COVID-19 related activities including Vaccine Development, Diagnostics and testing, bio-banking and genomic surveillance, in addition to fundamental research and also building a strong ecosystem for translational research
DBT-NCCS and DBT-NIAB have been the pillars for many aspects of infectious disease related work in India and have contributed to advancement of cutting-edge research output in frontier areas of Biotechnology relevant to human health and disease.
The facility at NCCS, Pune, has now been notified as Central Drugs Laboratory for testing and lot release of COVID-19 vaccines vide. Gazette notification issued by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare on 28th June 2021.The facility at NIAB ,Hyderabad is likely to receive necessary notification shortly.
With generous support from PM CARES Fund trust in a very short span of time, both the institutions through relentless efforts have set up the state-of-the-art modern facilities for this purpose. The facilities are expected to test approx 60 batches of vaccines per month. The facilities are geared up to test existing COVID-19 vaccines and other newer COVID-19 vaccines as per demand of the Nation. This will not only expedite the Vaccine manufacture and supply but also be logistically convenient considering that both Pune and Hyderabad are the two Vaccine manufacturing hubs
Newly Built DBT-NCCS Central Drugs Laboratory for COVID-19 Vaccine Testing
constructed with support from PM CARES Fund trust
DBT-NIAB Central Drugs Laboratory for COVID-19 Vaccine Testing
being constructed with support from PM CARES Fund trust